Explore

Follow Our Progress

A Message from President Benson Regarding Campus Projects

Dear Campus:

As we continue to develop a measured and informed response to the proposed budget from Governor Bevin, we will certainly face some daunting challenges. However, just as my friend and colleague, Eli Capilouto, said recently of the significant tests facing the University of Kentucky campus, we will not let the specter of the coming months “trim our aspirations.” We feel the same way at Eastern Kentucky University.

There is much to focus on as we endeavor to keep the forward momentum we have built over the past few years. Part of this inexorable progress includes much-needed capital improvements funded completely independent of any general fund support, which is where we have been instructed to reduce our budgets.

You will recall the rollout of our EKU Campus Revitalization plan last summer and the fact that nearly $160 million in renovations and additions will be accomplished with NO state appropriations.

All of these projects are currently planned, designed, and underway, much like the current state-funded Science Building Phase II under construction.

Below is a list of these projects and their funding sources:

Project

Cost

Funding Source

Powell Student Union renovation

~$25 million

student fee

New Student Recreation Center

~$35 million

student fee

New P3 housing

~$75 million

private developer

New dining facility and
campus-wide renovations

~$30 million

campus food vendor

Athletic facility renovations/
additions

$15 million

agency bond issue*

*The agency bonds for athletics were sold in April 2015 and ground will be broken on the east side complex in Roy Kidd Stadium in the near future. Renovations to softball and baseball complexes will commence shortly thereafter.

All of these projects will continue unabated. The challenge we face is cutting our budget from annual appropriation we receive from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We will meet this challenge head on but will remain undeterred in our ambitious revitalization of campus.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for your continued service to EKU and our students.